Have you ever seriously considered running for office?

I am starting to think about it. No Democrat has ever won in my state rep district. Obviously I would be running as a Democrat. Obviously, I would probably lose. This would be for 2006.

What do I have going for me? According to our golf course's pro, who asked me why I never had considered running...
a. I was a newspaper reporter for our state's largest daily in my district for 15 years and have huge name recognition. I no longer report, I have my own small business.
b. I have a great grasp of the local issues having covered so many town meetings, council meetings and school board meetings.
c. People trust me.

His words, not mine.
My words, I am spineless. I don't think I could put up with a torrent from our current rep without breaking down in tears. Also I worry about what it would do to my kids, senior and junior in HS. (although the senior would be in college next year) But I think I really want to do it. Has anyone else out there run with no chance of winning? How did you overcome your apprehensions? Did you call the state committee and tell them you wanted to run? Any suggestions?
Thanks so much in advance for any help.

Many times, but never seriously. I have too much crap in my history that would get dug up and be used against me. No good for either me or the party.

I have no advice except maybe to start out on a smaller scale - like being on the school board, or town council. Might thicken your skin and also give you wider recognition.

But I have sat thru so many of those meetings ....They were so horrible, I once sat thru a solid waste meeting where they took two hours picking out the color of the paint of the bathroom at the recycling center......

I went so far as to fill out the application (widely printed in local papers) but never did send it in. Oh well, I ended up moving outside the neighborhood boundaries shortly thereafter.

Hmmm... my new neighborhood is showing a couple of vacancies...